: Then went to lumber yard that looked like I was fixing to waste my Time.They
: had clear pine 1x6 or 1x8 in16ft. lengths. "NO KNOTS". I had
: originally asked about western red cedar, he advised that thier yard about
: an hour or so away stocked it in the same lengths. Being amzed that I had
: actually found some decent wood( and also being on a motorcycle). Iforgot
: to ask a price. Will call them shortly.

Tom

I have found that in So. Cal. any clear wood is pricey. When I made a cedar strip canoe I was way ahead to buy the rough-cut one bys with tight knots and rip them to 1/4" strips. I had access to a jointer so I smoothed one edge before ripping then ripped them again to get rid of the last rough edge. If you have a router table to make bead and cove or a thickness plainer the rough edges can be cleaned up using them.

I ended up with a lot of short pieces between the knots. I used most of them by slicing strips at the station forms. Some people just butt splice but I made a jig for the router and used scarf joints and was happy with the results. Some people use a belt sander and a jig. Even if you don't splice you will be ahead just throwing away the short pieces when you'er done and if you make a pattern on the deck you will use a bunch of them anyway.

If you want perfect matched wood and grain you sould bite the bullet and buy clear wood rip it into strips keeping them in orignial otientation to each other and then unfold them flat accordian style.